Here is a sampling of reflections on senior seminar from former students:



"I Must Admit" Letters:

Corey Roane - 5/26/09

Dear future Senior Seminar students
Senior Seminar has shown me numerous ways to reach goals that I have set for myself. Though many of the tasks were time consuming and took dedication I must admit this project has given me a different perspective in the long run. Not only have I realized that to reach your full potential you have to give your best abilities but I also learned that music is a subject that I might want to further my education on. Though I might not like to admit it, Senior Seminar has improved my work ethic and I will try hard to continue this.

-Corey Roane

Molly Ruddell - 6/8/09

I must admit that…
I do not want to write this letter. However, I am because there’s a slight chance that Senior Seminar was, in fact, a valuable experience as a whole. Originally I dreaded the class and assumed it was just designed by sadists. As the class progressed I quietly noticed that I was…(please don’t ever repeat this to anyone) learning. I do not believe that I would have ventured outside of my usual tendencies to experiment with humor if I had not had this class. That type of intrapersonal learning, I feel, is the most valuable and, ironically the most undervalued. I have not enjoyed high school for the most part. That is due in large part to my perspective that formulas, notes, and outlines do not educate students in an abstract way. There is something to be gained from learning concrete material, but when the course becomes egotistically wrapped up in that one style the worth of a high school education depreciates. Therefore, I want to thank you for providing me an opportunity to experience education in its most natural form. Also, I predict that the experience we gained with networking in the class will be very beneficial in, say, four years or so. Thanks for your constant efforts to inspire us. I could tell you were behind the messages you were teaching and that injected them with more impact. Sincerely,
Molly Ruddell


Julia Staico - 5/26/09

Dear Mr Mac.

I must admit at first I thought that senior seminar was just another required course that I had to take before I graduate. But after I chose my topic, and became interested in what I was learning about, I realized that this class is about branching out, and growing up. Although there were due dates, and papers that I had to get signed, I still feel as if this class taught me a lot about personal responsibility. Although I had to do a lot of research, and write a research paper it was on my shoulders to complete my project. I knew no one was going to care about my project if I didn’t care about it. Personality Disorders are something that I became very interested in, and I am very glad I chose to pursue schizophrenia for my senior sem project. Senior Sem was also a chance for us to get involved with something that interest us, nothing was forced on us, we got to pick our own topic, and that is what makes senior sem different from all of my other classes.

Thank you for everything!

-Julia Staico

Jarrett Stewart - 5/28/09

Dear Future Senior Seminar Student,
Before I start to shower you with advice on how to pass this class, let me first say THANK GOD it is over! This was the hardest, most stressful thing I have ever had to do in my entire life. Just kidding, maybe. But note this project is not hard, as long as you put in the effort and stay focused throughout. For example when I started the class, I knew that I wanted my project to have to deal with transportation in some shape or form. I also knew that I would have to write a paper and then present it in front of a group of people. So as you can imagine I was a little nervous at the fact that I would have to present. But I did not let that stop me from getting all the other little requirements that needed to get completed along the way done. The whole point of the class is to do something that you love. You are given this opportunity to follow your passions and find out something interesting about them, and then share your interests with your peers. For a lot of people it is not easy to share their deepest hidden passions with others, that is what I had to overcome. I like learning about transportation and the many aspects that go along with it and this class forced me to share the knowledge that I rarely let shine. So my advice to you is do not be afraid, use this project as a guide to discovering your life goals and dreams. Basically, have fun and do something you like. Because as long as you have fun, you cannot fail.